But when it comes to insects outside, a bit more caution needs to be practiced. I would not recommend them as a staple diet but they can definitely be part of a well balanced regiment. Unlike some other common pet lizards, leopard geckos will eat live insects only. Just make sure the bowl is smooth so that the mealworms cannot escape. Leopard geckos do not like the substance that earthworms secrete when under stress and will refuse to eat it. Geckos LOVE waxworms – they’re like candy (really tasty but really bad for the gecko and can be addictive! In short, leopard geckos need to eat every day or every other day depending on their size and age. The common leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) is a cathemeral, ground-dwelling lizard native to the rocky dry grassland and desert regions of Afghanistan, Pakistan, north-west India, mid-western Nepal and Iran.The common leopard gecko has become a popular pet, and due to extensive captive breeding is sometimes referred to as the first domesticated species of lizard. The main ones include being too cold, suffering from fecal impaction, illness, injury, or experiencing vision problems. You may also place a small dish of calcium powder into the habitat for your gecko to be sure he gets enough. If fed more often they can cause fatty liver disease. Can leopard geckos eat earthworms? Where can you find the best leopard gecko breeder offering the nicest captive bred leopard geckos for sale online? Why Do Leopard Geckos Eat Their Shed Skin. Earthworms do not make the best feeders insects for leopard geckos. Yes, leopard geckos can eat roaches and they can make staple feeder insects. Any other advice on feeding leopard geckos? Woodlice are only good for an occasional treat because of their hard shell. Geckos love to eat a range of pests that live in places similar to theirs — the dark, dank and hidden corners and crevices of the house. Some leos even get into their water to cool off. They eat them all the time in their natural habitat with no problems, but unlike bugs in their natural habitat, the ones that live in the city or around crops are likely contaminated with harmful pesticides. If your leopard gecko is sick in some other way, there may be a different reason for their inappetence. In the wild, the leopard gecko can consume a variety of invertebrates, such as different species of spiders, beetles, locusts, caterpillars and occasionally smaller lizards or nesting rodents. The only problem is, they can be rather expensive to buy. Even canned snails are not the best choice for leopard geckos, as they are not nutritious enough and won’t be moving. Impaction, especially with Leopard Geckos can be a big problem, especially if the animal is immune-compromised in any way. how much water (and in what form) Leopard geckos need in this article. However, earthworms are not an ideal addition to their daily diet due to their lack of nutritional richness and huge size. Giant mealworms are suitable insect feeders for only adult leopard geckos because of their size. Then give them to your gecko. But these are mostly shallow water. Never feed woodlice straight from the wild – instead collect or buy some, and then start a colony. Other than insects, fuzzy mice are allowed once a month for ovulating, gravid and extremely underweight leopard geckos. Mealworms contain around 14% fat, compared to 6% in crickets and roaches. You should put crickets in their tank and place them as close to your gecko as possible so he/she will see the prey. Granted, it will not hurt them, but these should be given on a rare basis in favor of some other insects like roaches, worms, and crickets. If you’d like to know where I get all of my insects so that you can maybe get a better deal than the ones you’re currently buying, then check this page out here that I put together. You should stick with freeze-dried insects or ones that come from your local pet store. Baby leopard geckos can eat the same diet as adults, except that it can be harder to find the food small enough for them to eat without choking. Don’t make mealworms staple feeder insects – it is better to offer a diversified diet by adding other staple insects. You can feed them to your leopard gecko daily. Mealworm beetles get large and have a thick shell that is hard for your leopard gecko to digest. Leopard geckos have been known to change food preferences as they get older, so your gecko may love crickets one week and hate them the next. You have to gut load the insects before you feed them to your gecko. What is more, spiders are hard to gut-load and are small to make a meal for your leopard gecko. Wrapping Up. It is a good idea to gut load about 24 to 48 hours ahead of offering them as food. It is a good idea to feed hornworms only to adult leopard geckos, as hornworms are quite thick. You can offer them to growing, underweight or gravid leopard geckos once a week (1-2 worms). Leopard geckos are desert reptiles, and they don’t get to eat fish there. Staff Details; Application I have kept chameleons, bearded dragons, leopard geckos and many other reptiles. Crickets are an excellent choice for leopard geckos. You can feed your leopard gecko Morio worms (superworms), but only occasionally. While there are certain gecko species like those of the Pristurus genus who are adapted to eating mainly ants (called myrmecophagous geckos), most gecko species cannot and should not eat ants. Therefore, the owner of the reptile should make sure he/she can afford to buy mealworms, crickets, roaches, waxworms, wild insects, and other feeders. Signs and Reasons, Is Crested Gecko a Good Pet? Leopard geckos love eating insects, it’s what they do. Feeding. Also, make sure to wash them to remove dirt and cut them as they are too long to be digested. These nocturnal creatures are native to hot sandy areas in the Middle East region, which are typically a semi-desert climate. Leopard geckos need a vitamin supplement with every meal they consume and this is even more important for babies, which are still growing and need strong bones. Mealworms/Waxworms are great food for leos. While some leopard geckos might try some types of fruit, such as bananas or strawberries, it doesn’t mean that you have to feed your leopard gecko fruit and veg. Mealworms contain around 14% fat, compared to 6% in crickets and roaches. An ideal varied diet for leopard geckos would be 25% crickets or roaches, 25% superworms, and the remaining portions could be made up of the occasional hornworm, mealworms, or silkworms. Can leopard geckos eat any kind of fish (e.g. Hatchling and baby Leopard geckos should be fed every single day until they are one year old. And while crickets are known for being somewhat noisy, these are quiet. 25 of them can cost you $10. This is why you don’t need to gut-load or dust them with Ca and Phosphorus. I wouldn't suggest using earwigs or catching your own crickets as they could have came from a yard that was sprayed with pesticides and that could harm your bearded dragon. Once they are full-size adults (around one year of age), they should be offered food every other day. Because of this many owners will mix up their diet with a combination of crickets, worms, and other insects to keep some variation in what they eat. The crickets will be drawn out and, therefore easier for your leo to grab. Healthy leopard geckos should not be given meat. 10 month old to a year old adults can eat less frequently, about 2-3 times a week or every other day. So I've compiled a list of invertebrates leopard geckos can feed on. Female dubias do not have wings. Geckos eat mosquitoes, flies, beetles, dragonflies, cicadas, ants, wasps, butterflies and crickets. Whereas there is a small risk of impaction as there is with any small substrate that you may use, you can see in the video above that it is unlikely that your gecko will actually eat the eco earth and get impaction. Hornworms are soft, contain lots of moisture and are easily digestible. If you want to feed woodlice to your leopard gecko, make sure that they are only captive bred. Feeding leopard geckos spiders has both positive and negative sides, so the answer is more no than yes. Your leopard geckos may also eat less when they are bored with the food you are offering them. Leopard Geckos are commonly fed crickets, mealworms, superworms, waxworms, and feeder roaches. A: Unlike green iguanas and bearded dragons, leopard geckos are carnivorous lizards, which means they do not eat fruit and vegetables. Q. Would a cat eat a leopard gecko? This is because they have no other breathing mechanisms and are not accustomed to holding their breaths. You can also feed them silkworms, tomato hornworms, butter worms, wax worms, beetles, sowbugs, and cockroaches. A leopard gecko may not eat due to several reasons. Before getting a leopard gecko you must be sure that you are able to provide the correct care, the associated costs for the animal’s whole life. Shake it up gently until the insects are coated. Are earthworms a good option? They won’t accept canned or dried reptile food or meat. You can choose a reputable breeder or reptile shop, or there are likely to be many leopard geckos available for rehoming, so check the RSPCA website: Our website is compliant with GDPR and adverstising laws of United States. These are slow insects, and they do not usually climb vertically. If this happens, change out the water and make sure the cold spot of your habitat is adequate. The Pet Leopard Gecko Diet. The Leopard Gecko, Eublepharis macularius, makes a wonderful pet for novices and advanced hobbyists alike (even after many years as a professional zookeeper, I enjoy keeping them, and wrote a book about their care). Most geckos will catch the cricket easily, however. Interesting Facts About the Leopard Gecko. Instead, you should opt for crickets, roaches, or mealworms. Hosting A Camp; Camp Forms; Staff. Leopard geckos are carnivores, which means that they need to eat insects and small animals to survive. They can be quite friendly, and even come with a built-in “smiling” … Your email address will not be published. Spiders might carry nasty bacteria and viruses or might have eaten pesticide sprayed bugs. I searched vigorously in my room and could not find it anywhere! Locusts are great feeder insects for leopard geckos and are not high in fat for regular feeding (11%). When feeding your leopard gecko you will want to put any worms into a feeding bowl or a shallow dish that they can easily reach. However, to keep your gecko happy and healthy, you will need to learn how to feed it correctly. Bugs should make a leopard gecko’s diet. Some that can be fed as part of their regular diet, while others as a treat because of the high-fat content in the worms. The shell, though, is high in calcium and is good for your leopard gecko. They are very expensive at the pet stores though. You should also be aware that earthworms in nature eat a huge amount of organic material. The Leopard Gecko (opens in new link) or Eublepharis macularius is one of the MOST popular pet lizards (especially for beginners!) No, leopard geckos should not eat anything other than bugs. But if you can afford them, get them to treat your leopard gecko and to diversify its diet. You can simply monitor the poop of your leopard gecko to monitor it for signs of having eco earth in it.